I’m using it for my WordPress blog because frankly, the WordPress app bites. I’ve had all sorts of problems from it freezing and losing my entire post to accidentally publishing a draft. I’m always nervous using it. So nervous in fact that I now draft all my blogs in Evernote, even when I’m using my desktop. More on this later.
With my trip to BlogHer in New York looming (I leave in just over a week), I thought I’d better get some practice in with blogging on the go. It’s not something I’ve done much before.
My main concerns are:
Typing
I haven’t really used the key pad on the iPad much. Actually I spend more time on my iPhone, and I’m not on the best of terms with its tiny keypad. However as I’m typing this I’m surprised at how natural the iPad keypad is. I was thinking I would need to take the wireless keyboard with me, or buy a keyboard case. The jury is still out on this one.
Images
<a href=”http://www.crashtestmummy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/20120722-221251.jpg“><img src=”http://www.crashtestmummy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/20120722-221251.jpg” alt=”20120722-221251.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-full”
It works, sure. But with Blogsy you can drag and drop images or videos from your library, Flickr, Picasa, YouTube or even straight from any website (although beware that site will be hosting the image, not you). You can even access your WordPress media library via Blogsy’s built-in browser and then just drag and drop them into your post. Your options look like this:
There is more control over image size (cool size slider), alignment, and even alt tags and captions. I’m having a bit of a geek crush right now! Did I mention I’m on my iPad?
Another cool thing I did was take a screenshot of the Blogsy site, opened it in Skitch (an Evernote app), cropped it and then saved it to my photo library. Then it was easily dragged into my post. Very cool!
Security
I don’t know what Blogsy’s track record is with freezing/crashing, but it does autosave and is apparently quite stable. Just to be sure I draft my lists in Evernote. Not only do I know they’re safe, but I can access my posts from anywhere: desktop, iPhone or iPad. This has been great when I might start writing the outline of my post on my phone while waiting for an appointment and finish it off at home on the Mac.
Evernote is rocking my world, ever since I crash tested it recently. You can see how Evernote has changed my life here.
I also use Evernote to save photos. I can take a photo on my iPhone, email it my Evernote account and then save it to my iPad photo library to use in Blogsy. I’m sure if I could work out how to synch all my devices sing iCloud I’d get the same result without the extra steps. If anyone would like to enlighten me, please do so in the comments below!
Formatting
Blogsy is even cooler than WordPress on desktop when it comes to making your post look pretty. It downloads all your heading styles to select from and even let’s you change the font size, something I can’t do when I’m in WordPress.
When it comes to adding links using Blogsy, I’m in love. Click the link to find out how easy it is. Insanely easy. No copying and pasting, scroll,select, click,click,click. Oh no, all you need to do is select your text for the link, open the built in browser and drag the link icon next to the URL into your post. Too easy!
I could go on, and this is probably reading like a sponsored post, but it’s not. I’m just totally in love with how clever this app is. I will be completely sold if this post publishes when I schedule it to – from my iPad!
For more tips and advice about blogging on the go, check out Nikki Parkinson’s post about how to blog while travelling on her blog Styling You. Her advice is great and when she suggested a Migear phone charger I went out and got one. They are brilliant at conferences when you run low and can’t find a power point to charge up.
Ok, moment of truth, will this post publish?
I’m off to the garage to find our bag of travel stuff, I’m sure I’ve got a couple of US adapters in there!
What do you think of Blogsy? I paid $5.49 for it, and if that helps me write even one post in New York, I’ll be happy!
Take care,
Laney x
Posted with Blogsy
Buying Blogsy NOW! Love the sound of it. Still happy to take my AIR as I like to do galleries etc and know that my posts will be travel heavy. I’ve also updated my post and excited about getting an eye-fi card where my photos will automatically upload to my chosen folder (wirelessly!).
Geek girls unite and see you in NYC!
Nikki @ Styling You’s last post..Keeping it real: the birthday lunch outfit
I wish I had an AIR – very envious. I’ve just read about the eye-fi cards too. I wasn’t sure though about converting the file size of my DSLR photos though. They sound pretty cool though!
I’m getting the largest one that says it handles RAW files, so should be ok?
Ah, well then I better check it out!
Should read “photo” heavy. Not travel heavy!
Nikki @ Styling You’s last post..How to blog while travelling
Great post Laney! Thanks for sharing. I’m with you on the WP app, I’m never sure if I’m publishing the post or saving it to draft, it’s completely nerve-wracking. This sounds worth the money indeed, even just for all those times I want to write from the couch!
Kellie’s last post..{snapshot} a tale of two bridges
I’m very excited about blogging from the couch. My desktop is actually at a standing workstation, so I can get pretty tired by the end of the day! It takes a lot of motivation to get up if I still haven’t finished my post by the evening!
You are almost making me want to give Blogsy another try but I’m not sure – I’ve had heaps of problems with it losing posts and not saving things properly – it sounds like my experience and yours have reversed when it comes to the WP app and the Blogsy one – lol! Basically if you (I?) press the wrong button on Blogsy your whole post disappears – it could just be that I am doing it wrong but I’ve now given up. Also as I don’t host images on Picasa I found it too limiting in terms of what images I could upload – BUT Evernote is sounding amazing and I think I need to give it another try.
For what it’s worth, I think the keyboard is a good idea when travelling and at a blog conf – for me it makes typing faster which when you don’t want to spend ages online (because hey, you’re in New York baby!!) is a good thing.
Cannot wait to hear all about your amazing trip!!
Louisa’s last post..{Preparing For Pregnancy} The exciting world of teeth.
Hey Lou, apparently that glitch with Blogsy has been sorted in the latest updates. And yes, I’m thinking a keyboard is in order for super fast note taking! I’m sooooo excited!
Evernote is amazing, get reacquainted, trust me!
Ah, that’s good to know! Maybe I’ll plug my ipad into my computer today and make sure everything is up to date (really need to do that more often!)
Louisa’s last post..{Preparing For Pregnancy} The exciting world of teeth.
Hello Louisa,
I am sorry you had troubles with Blogsy. Please email us at info(at)fomola(dot)com. We would never put out a product we knew had problems so if a user is having a problem we need them to let us know so we can help.
From you comment it sounds like you tapped on the plus “+” button which starts a new post and saves your current one as a local draft. And if you had formatting problems this could be caused by typing in the image division tag or your blog theme’s CSS could be overriding the default formatting rules. This is all covered in our how-to videos in the Settings menu. Were you able to watch these?
Thanks,
Lance
Hi Lance, thanks for your reply – very impressed you were reading this post! Yes I think that’s what I did however it didn’t save the posts as drafts which is perhaps because I need to fix a setting to do that? Anyway, shall have another look – thanks again for responding.
Louisa’s last post..{Preparing For Pregnancy} The exciting world of teeth.
Hello Louisa,
Thank you for getting back.
There is not setting that needs to be made to save it as a local draft. If you want to save it as an online draft then you need to set it that way in the Post Info. menu before you post it to your blog. No one has ever reported tapping on the plus button “+” and not finding the post in the local draft list. So if this happened to you something is very wrong with your install.
Yes, please check out our how-to videos in the Settings menu. They explain it all. Many users have told us that your how-to videos really helped them get the hang of and most out of Blogsy.
And again, if you need help or have a question don’t be shy about emailing me.
Regards,
Lance
Sigh, I wish I was going to New York and BlogHer but regardless, your post has got me tempted to try Blogsy out. I wouldn’t mind blogging more from my iPad if helps with pic uploads too. One thing I actually find helpful about blogging drafts from my iPhone is the dictation option. I do have to check it understood me properly but it can be great for keeping my flow of thought. Just need to get the new iPad with the same function on the keyboard and I’m set!
Veronica @ Mixed Gems’s last post..Birthday reflections
Blogsy makes images so easy. Dragon Dictation is a free app you can use on the iPad. Or you can use Evernote to make a voice recording and transcribe later. Let me know how you get on :)
Think I’ll be checking out Evernote. Like the idea of dictating… All those amazing thoughts I have then I get some time to sit down and type and it’s disappeared!
Vicky’s last post..Its all about the kids! (part 1)
I will be watching with interest to see how this goes laney. I would like to use my iPad more for blog posts, but usually don’t because how I’m doing it currently doesn’t allow all the functionality of doing it on my laptop. Excited for you going to NYC. Will be living vicariously through you all that are going. Have a wicked time!!
Vicky’s last post..Its all about the kids! (part 1)
I’m downloading Blogsy now, thanks for the tip Laney!! I thought I could write a few blog posts on the flight over. I have a keyboard for my iPad, love it, makes typing so much easier. See you in NY!!!!
Kat – The Organised Housewife’s last post..{MEAL PLAN} Chorizo, mushroom and spinach penne
Thanks for this Laney. I am a total newby and downloaded both Evernote and Blogsy onto my iPad last night after reading this! I’ll have fun finding my way around and this article will be of great help I’m sure. :)
Michelle’s last post..Rejuvenessence Facial Serum – Product in Focus